Ukraine war: Orthodox clerics say they will not leave Kyiv monastery

The recent expulsion of dozens of Ukrainian priests from Belarus has revealed the complexity of divisions among the Ukrainian Orthodox community. Some have joined the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which was granted independence in 2019, while millions still follow the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which split from Moscow last year after being under its control for centuries.

Belarus, which is one of Russia’s closest allies, expelled the Ukrainian Orthodox clergy in June in retaliation for Ukraine’s decision to expel two senior diplomats from the Belarusian embassy. While the Belarusian government claims that the priests were engaging in political activities, many see the move as yet another manifestation of the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Belarus.

The UOC, which is still affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, has been accused of being a Kremlin tool and has faced criticism from those who believe it is not wholly representative of Ukrainians. By contrast, the OCU, which was formed in December 2018 after years of bitter wrangling, is seen as a more independent and Ukrainian-centred church.

The divisions between the two churches have become increasingly bitter and have led to protests and even violence in some areas. The expulsion of the Belarusian clergy has only served to underline these tensions and is likely to further polarize the Ukrainian Orthodox community. However, some believe that the crisis could also be an opportunity for the OCU to consolidate its position and build a more united and independent Ukrainian church.



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